Fluoride has made the news (again) recently, for potentially being linked to autism in children to being under fire in U.S. Federal Court because of dental fluorosis.
An ongoing concern is the safety of water fluoridation, with some cities actively fighting fluoridation of their drinking water, such as Portland, OR.
But this got me thinking about the toothpaste we use, which might also contain fluoride—as well as other ingredients we should consider avoiding. After all, one of the fastest ways to absorb something into the body is through the mouth. Also, when dangerous ingredients make their way down the drain, they can wreak havoc on the ecosystem and harm wildlife.
There seems to be a general consensus among health advocates—from Environmental Working Group to Dr. Oz—about avoiding triclosan in toothpaste. Triclosan, a possible endocrine disruptor, is an antibacterial agent found in many personal care products and its safety is currently under review by the FDA. No need to worry about losing this particular antibacterial, as brushing and flossing twice a day will remove bacteria.
What else in your toothpaste should raise a red flag?
The Eco-Dentistry Association emphasizes the important step we should all be taking: Read your labels! Here’s their list of some of the common ingredients found in toothpastes (and other oral care products like mouthwash and lip balms) you should consider avoiding, beyond triclosan:
FD&C color pigments—Synthetic coloring agent made from coal tar that can be found in a multitude of personal care products. Known carcinogen.
Propylene glycol—The EPA considers this ingredient so toxic that for handling, it requires gloves, protective clothing, goggles and disposal by burying.
Parabens—May play a role in sterility in males, hormone imbalances and breast cancer.
Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate—Has been implicated in oral conditions, including canker sores and bad breath. It’s the stuff that makes some toothpaste foamy.
Polyethylene glycol—Linked to production of dangerous levels of dioxin, a cancer-causing agent also known to reduce immunity and cause nervous system disorders.
Cleure adds the following ingredients: saccharin, antimicrobials, chlorine dioxide, sodium hydroxide and salicylates. Also of concern are titanium dioxide and glycerin, which might inhibit remineralization of teeth.
So what then are some alternatives? What should we look for on toothpaste labels? The Eco-Dentistry Association suggests such things as organic aloe vera, which helps clean teeth and gums while soothing your entire mouth, or organic essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus and anise, which are tasty and known for anti-bacterial and breath-freshening properties.
The Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia offers a guide to less toxic products, including toothpaste. The guide includes a list of the “best” toothpastes (that contain no sodium fluoride, artificial sweeteners, dyes, detergents or triclosan) and “good” toothpastes ((fluoride free but may contain one or two common hazardous ingredients). The association also offers this tip: The main way to remove plaque is flossing, not brushing. Brushing with plain water is sufficient as long as you floss.
Want to take it a step further and make your own toothpaste? The most basic material to use is plain baking soda or salt, which are mild abrasives. The Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia advises: Brush with two parts baking soda and one part salt mixed to a fine powder in a blender.
Another common ingredient you might find in homemade toothpaste is coconut oil. Why? Because, as Health Extremist points out, coconut oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal, and it has been shown to destroy the bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
With baking soda and/or coconut oil as main ingredients, here are five toothpaste recipes you can make at home and store in a small container:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons baking soda
10 drops of peppermint oil (optional)
Instructions:
Mix baking soda and coconut oil in a small container, until it forms a paste-like consistency
Add several drops of peppermint oil and mix.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, finely ground
10 drops peppermint, clove or citrus pure essential oil
A few drops of water
Instructions:
Mix all powdered ingredients well in a bowl. If you are starting with tablets, powder them in a food processor. If you are starting with capsules, dump them out into the bowl.
Add oil one part at a time until you get desired consistency.
Add any optional ingredients, including essential oils for flavor.
Ingredients:
6 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
2 tablespoons coconut oil (must be liquid)
10 drops peppermint, clove or citrus pure essential oil
Instructions:
Mix all powdered ingredients well in a bowl. If you are starting with tablets, powder them in a food processor. If you are starting with capsules, dump them out into the bowl.
Add oil one part at a time until you get desired consistency.
Add any optional ingredients, including essential oils for flavor.
Ingredients:
5 parts calcium magnesium powder
2 parts baking soda
3-5 parts coconut oil to get desired texture
Optional ingredients: essential oils for flavor (mint, cinnamon and orange are all good), grapefruit seed extract, myrrh and trace minerals
3 parts xylitol powder—this ingredient is not completely necessary, but just keeps it from tasting bitter
Instructions:
Mix all powdered ingredients well in a bowl. If you are starting with tablets, powder them in a food processor. If you are starting with capsules, dump them out into the bowl.
Add oil one part at a time until you get desired consistency.
Add any optional ingredients, including essential oils for flavor.
Ingredients
Non-hydrogenized virgin coconut oil
Baking soda or fine pumice
Xylitol (a sweetener that is also proven to have antibacterial properties)
Your favorite essential oil
Instructions
Heat half a cup of the coconut oil over gentle heat.
Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of the baking soda or 1 tablespoon of the pumice as well as a 15 to 20 drops of the essential oil and the xylitol to taste.
Do you have a toothpaste recipe you swear by?
Here are three new films to watch this Earth Week that will transport you from pole to pole and introduce you to the scientists and activists working to save our shared home.
1. The Year Earth Changed
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
When to Watch: From April 16
The coronavirus pandemic has brought home the stakes of humanity's impact on the environment. But the lockdowns also proved how quickly nature can recover when humans give it the space. Birds sang in empty cities, whales surfaced in Glacier Bay and capybara roamed the South American suburbs.
The Year Earth Changed captures this unique year with footage from more than 30 lockdowned cities between May 2020 to January 2021. Narrated by renowned wildlife broadcaster David Attenborough, the film explores what positive lessons we can take from the experience of a quieter, less trafficked world.
"What the film shows is that the natural world can bounce back remarkably quickly when we take a step back and reduce our impact as we did during lockdown," executive producer Alice Keens-Soper of BBC Studios Natural History Unit told EcoWatch. "If we are willing to make even small changes to our habits, the natural world can flourish. We need to learn how to co-exist with nature and understand that we are not separate from it- for example if we closed some of our beaches at for a few weeks during the turtle breeding we see that it can make a huge difference to their success. There are many ways that we can adapt our behavior to allow the natural world to thrive as it did in lockdown."
2. After Antarctica
Where to Watch: San Francisco International Film Festival
When to Watch: 12 a.m. PST April 9 to 11:59 p.m. April 18
In 1989, Will Steger led an international team of six scientists and explorers to be the first humans to cross Antarctica by dogsled. Steger and his team weren't just in it for the adventure. They also wanted to draw attention to the ways in which the climate crisis was already transforming the icy continent and to rally support for the renewal of the Antarctic Treaty, which would keep the continent safe from extractive industries.
In After Antarctica, award-winning filmmaker Tasha Van Zandt follows Steger 30 years later as he travels the Arctic this time, reflecting on his original journey and once again bringing awareness to changes in a polar landscape. The film intersperses this contemporary journey with footage from the original expedition, some of which has never been seen before.
"Will's life journey as an explorer and climate activist has led him not only to see more of the polar world than anyone else alive today, but to being an eyewitness to the changes occurring across both poles," Van Zandt told EcoWatch. "But now, these changes are happening in all of our own backyards and we have all become eyewitnesses. Through my journey with Will, I have learned that although we cannot always control change, we can change our response. I feel strongly that this is a message that resonates when we look at the current state of the world, as we each have power and control over how we choose to respond to hardships, and we all have the power to unite with others through collective action around a common goal."
After Antarctica is available to stream once you purchase a ticket to the San Francisco International Film Festival. If you miss it this weekend, it will screen again at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival from May 13 to May 23.
Tasha Van Zandt
3. The Race to Save the World
Where to Watch: Virtual Cinema
When to Watch: From Earth Day, April 22
While many films about the climate crisis seek to raise awareness about the extent of the problem, The Race to Save the World focuses on the people who are trying to stop it. The film tells the story of climate activists ranging from 15-year-old Aji to 72-year-old Miriam who are working to create a sustainable future. It follows them from the streets to the courtroom to their homes, and explores the impact of their advocacy on their personal lives and relationships.
Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Joe Gantz told EcoWatch that he wanted to make a film about climate change, but did not want to depress viewers with overwhelming statistics. Instead, he chose to inspire them by sharing the stories of people trying to make a difference.
"Unless millions of people take to the streets and make their voices heard for a livable future, the politicians are not going to get on board to help make the changes needed for a sustainable future," Gantz told Ecowatch. "I think that The Race To Save The World will energize and inspire people to take action so that future generations, as well as the plants, animals and ecosystems, can survive and thrive on this planet."
Check back with EcoWatch on the morning of Earth Day for a special preview of this inspiring film!